Nothing but Seamed Stockings

jitterbugdoll · Apr 6, 2007

Goodie2Shoes said:
So I've decided I'm going to search out true vintage stockings. I got 2 pairs on Ebay the other week. Brand new still in the box. They are great. I don't know what denier they are. One pair is french. So my question, anyone know what a "good denier" is? Like should I pick a 15 over a 30 when searching? Any help would be appreciated. I do buy what I like no matter what but having some history and fact goes along way with me! THANKS!!!!!

The lower the denier, the finer and more sheer the stocking (and also more delicate and prone to runs.) The higher the gauge, the more needles used to knit the stocking, and the more silky the stocking will feel.

Goodie2Shoes · Apr 6, 2007

Through my search.............. I see they also had knee highs. I saw a modern day pinup pic with a girl who was wearing knee highs and it looked like she had those sock garters like men used to wear holding them up. Does anyone know if this was the way it was? Also what era would that have come into play?

Goodie2Shoes · Apr 6, 2007

Thanks Jitterbug

jitterbugdoll · Apr 6, 2007

Goodie2Shoes said:
Through my search.............. I see they also had knee highs. I saw a modern day pinup pic with a girl who was wearing knee highs and it looked like she had those sock garters like men used to wear holding them up. Does anyone know if this was the way it was? Also what era would that have come into play?

They actually had knee high 'hold-ups' (as well as thigh highs) that were made with Lastex to secure the stocking. I have a catalog from the 1939 advertising both styles, which were available in fancy color combinations (for example, nude with red seams), as were the regular stockings.

Goodie2Shoes · Apr 6, 2007

Jitterbug--
I just think thats great. I have a catalog with 40's fashions but never saw anything like that. It all fascinates me so much! I'm going to look up the knee high hold ups. If you ever get a chance and wouldn't mind I would LOVE to see a scan or 2 of this catalog's stocking/knee high collection you spoke of. How sexy red seams on nude stockings...I LOVE IT!

KittyT · Apr 6, 2007

Goodie2Shoes said:
So my question, anyone know what a "good denier" is? Like should I pick a 15 over a 30 when searching? Any help would be appreciated. I do buy what I like no matter what but having some history and fact goes along way with me! THANKS!!!!!

as JBD said, a lower denier is a sheerer stocking. it's really a matter of preference. i actually don't much like 15d stockings and prefer 30d - not only because they hold up better but because the seams are more visible on the heavier stockings and if i'm wearing fully fashioned stockings, i want to be damned sure everyone can tell

besides, the heavier ones do a better job of covering flaws, and if you have lots of scars or discolored spots like i do, it just looks better.

ShrinkingViolet · Apr 18, 2007

Does anyone like to wear black fully fashioned stockings? I've never seen original photos of ladies wearing them, so I assume they weren't very common.
I'd like to try them, but I can't really get the 1980's associations out of my head ... the blonde lady in "Top Gun" wearing black ff's, Kim Basinger in "9¬? Weeks", Benny Hill-chicks, that kind of thing! lol

GOK · Apr 18, 2007

I wear them all the time (well, obviously not in bed or with trousers!) - I've never ever associated them with the '80s, possibly because I've never seen the films you mention. Ignorance really *is* bliss!

Instead of the '80s, think Dita and Bettie - so much more glam! I've definitely seen films from the '40s where ladies are wearing black FFs. Go for it SV!

Sunny · Apr 18, 2007

ShrinkingViolet said:
Does anyone like to wear black fully fashioned stockings? I've never seen original photos of ladies wearing them, so I assume they weren't very common.
I'd like to try them, but I can't really get the 1980's associations out of my head ... the blonde lady in "Top Gun" wearing black ff's, Kim Basinger in "9¬? Weeks", Benny Hill-chicks, that kind of thing! lol

Aha, I've been wanting to share something I saw that was incredibly illuminating. I've been suspecting that black fully-fashioneds were actually more conservative than the nude ones. Surely many older women, who'd grown up with fine cotton stockings, would be uncomfortable showing their skin through sheer nylon.

I was watching an episode of The Saint television show. The one in question was made in 1967 or 1968, and was in color.

A woman was using a Salvation Army uniform as a disguise. The uniform is all black (or very dark navy) with insignia and a cap, and she was wearing plain black low-heel shoes, either oxfords or slip-ons. As she got into a car, I saw that she was wearing black fully-fashioned stockings.

You get it? I've already read a few anecdotes of how seamed stockings were pass?© in the 1950s; remember that teenager who was so embarrassed to wear them to school? In 1968, black seamed stockings were dowdy, worn as part of a deliberately unfashionable uniform. It would make even more sense if they'd been on the conservative end of fashion even when they were fashionable.

KittyT · Apr 18, 2007

ShrinkingViolet said:
Does anyone like to wear black fully fashioned stockings? I've never seen original photos of ladies wearing them, so I assume they weren't very common.

Yes, I wear them but not very often. It just depends on the outfit!

Tough Cookie · Jun 15, 2007

Stocking questions

Hey there all! Been away for a bit, life suddenly imploded on me. to help lift my spirits I decided I would treat myself to a good garter belt and stockings, to compliment the repro dresses I've been collecting. I think this is the garter belt I've settled on from Alexis4U: black lace general-use belt. I decided to go with a garter rather than a girdle for now.

I have read for many hours on stocking threads courtesy of the search function, but I still have some questions.

1) I love the look of the seamed stockings with both Cuban and French heels. However, with the reinforcement in the toe, I'm thinking that these would not be appropriate/attractive to wear with peep-toe shoes, correct?

1A) Where would one find sheer-toed stockings?
1B) Is it unrealistic to look for sheer toes with a specialty heel?

2) Are the vintage style (FF and/or RHT) saggy at the ankles and knees? I'd rather not sport that particular look, vintage though it might be.

2A) Where would one find retro-looking gartered stockings with modern materials to avoid the sags?

I think I'm going to go with Magnolia for the stockings, the prices seem reasonable (especially compared to Alexis4U, heh). But the sizing info page isn't complete! I'd appreciate any input you ladies have time for.

Thank you.

badleekitty · Jun 17, 2007

fftopic: I was wondering what type of shoes do you gals wear with seamed cuban feet stocking?? I just got two pairs from what katie did and I just love them. I usually just wear the regular thigh high stocking with no seams. Most of the shoes I own are with a peep toe do you think these type of heels will look funny with these type of stockings??? Or do you guys have any idea which type of heel looks best with these stockings.

Sunny · Jun 18, 2007

I'm sorry not to respond immediately, but I'm a bit perturbed.

Why were the latest pages of posts deleted? Yes, there was a bit of 'talk' that wasn't strictly on-topic. But if nothing else, I found the discussion of white FF stockings to be very interesting and a good start toward actually researching the topic. Why was all that removed?

KittyT · Jun 18, 2007

badleekitty said:
fftopic: I was wondering what type of shoes do you gals wear with seamed cuban feet stocking?? I just got two pairs from what katie did and I just love them. I usually just wear the regular thigh high stocking with no seams. Most of the shoes I own are with a peep toe do you think these type of heels will look funny with these type of stockings??? Or do you guys have any idea which type of heel looks best with these stockings.

It is perfectly OK to wear peep-toes with FF stockings. Women did it all the time back in the 40s. However, I wouldn't wear open-toed heels. A peep is ok though, and a true peep doesn't even show much of your toes anyway.

Tough Cookie said:
1) I love the look of the seamed stockings with both Cuban and French heels. However, with the reinforcement in the toe, I'm thinking that these would not be appropriate/attractive to wear with peep-toe shoes, correct?

1A) Where would one find sheer-toed stockings?
1B) Is it unrealistic to look for sheer toes with a specialty heel?

You can find fakie French heels at Victoria's Secret and I believe they have a sheer toe. You will not find a true FF stocking with a sheer toe. That said, women wore them with peep-toed shoes ALL the time. Don't worry about it.

2) Are the vintage style (FF and/or RHT) saggy at the ankles and knees? I'd rather not sport that particular look, vintage though it might be.

2A) Where would one find retro-looking gartered stockings with modern materials to avoid the sags?

Yes, FF are saggy - IF they don't fit right. You need to have a stocking that is the right size and length for you and you need to wear it with a girdle or a long-line style garter belt so that it is pulled tightly into place and stays there. If you wear FF stockings with a regular garter belt, you are likely to get sags because the garter belt will either stretch/pull down or it will slide down.

I believe What Katie Did has repro FF stockings made with modern materials that have some stretch to them.

I think I'm going to go with Magnolia for the stockings, the prices seem reasonable (especially compared to Alexis4U, heh). But the sizing info page isn't complete! I'd appreciate any input you ladies have time for. Thank you.

The best sizing information is at http://www.stockingshowcase.com/sizing.asp

GwenLake · Jun 18, 2007

Sunny said:
I'm sorry not to respond immediately, but I'm a bit perturbed.

Why were the latest pages of posts deleted? Yes, there was a bit of 'talk' that wasn't strictly on-topic. But if nothing else, I found the discussion of white FF stockings to be very interesting and a good start toward actually researching the topic. Why was all that removed?

Are you sure this is the right thread? It might have been that one:
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=11913

ShrinkingViolet · Jun 18, 2007

I just wanted to warn you that Magnolia stockings are longer than average. The ones I ordered said 'opera length' on the label although I hadn't asked specifically for that, so maybe all the stockings they do are opera lenght. The feet seem bigger too. [huh]

I got my first pairs of black FF's, by the way! They are really flattering to the legs and not as '1980's naughty' as I feared. I even think I prefer these over the chocolate coloured and nude ones I usually wear. What are everyone's favourite stockings colours?

Nashoba · Jun 18, 2007

I tend to stick to nude and nude with black backseam although I do have one pair of white ones that I wear when occassion requires

Sunny · Jun 18, 2007

GwenLake said:
Are you sure this is the right thread? It might have been that one:
http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=11913

*whew* Yes, that was it! I guess there's a limit to how useful consolidating threads can be. A discussion of white stockings doesn't really belong in either thread. Thanks!

Sunny · Jun 18, 2007

ShrinkingViolet said:
I just wanted to warn you that Magnolia stockings are longer than average. The ones I ordered said 'opera length' on the label although I hadn't asked specifically for that, so maybe all the stockings they do are opera lenght. The feet seem bigger too. [huh]

Mine didn't say 'opera length' at all, but they were both long and with big feet. I'm 5'9" with my height in my legs, and wear a size 9 shoe. The mediums were just about perfect for me. Go figure.

BonnieJean · Jun 18, 2007

Not gone....

Sunny,
Don't worry, that discussion is on this thread.
There are actually 2 threads about stockings.

Nothing but Seamed Stockings

Call Me a Cab

New in Town

New in Town

Call Me a Cab

New in Town

I'll Lock Up

A-List Customer

One Too Many

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

New in Town

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

A-List Customer

One Too Many

One Too Many

One Too Many

Practically Family

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